title: Ultrasound-guided vs. blind steroid injections in carpal tunnel syndrome: A single-blind randomized prospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and the safety of ultrasound (US)-guided vs. blind steroid injections in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective randomized single-blind clinical trial included 46 patients with CTS (46 affected median nerves). The subjects were randomized-to either the US-guided or the blind injection group-before they received 40 mg of methylprednisolone. They were evaluated using the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire symptom/function at baseline and at 6 wks and 12 wks after injection, and the side effects were noted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The symptom severity and functional status scores improved significantly in both groups at 6 wks after treatment, and these improvements persisted at 12 wks after treatment (all P < 0.05). The improvement in symptom severity scores in the US-guided group at 12 wks was higher than in the palpation-guided group (P < 0.05). Average time to symptom relief was shorter in the US-guided group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of side effects (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although both US-guided and blind steroid injections were effective in reducing the symptoms of CTS and improving the function, an earlier onset/better improvement of symptom relief suggests that US-guided steroid injection may be more effective than are blind injections in CTS.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (NU, AEY, NK, ADT), Department of Radiology (IK, SK), and Department of Neurology (EO), Faculty of Medicine, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey; and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic, İskenderun Military Hospital, Hatay, Turkey (FT).
authors.forename: Nilgün
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ustün
authors.forename: Fatih
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tok
authors.forename: Abdullah Erman
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Yagz
authors.forename: Nurhan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kizil
authors.forename: Inan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Korkmaz
authors.forename: Sinem
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karazincir
authors.forename: Esra
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Okuyucu
authors.forename: Ayse Dicle
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Turhanoglu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D008775:Methylprednisolone